And that was the motivation I needed to figure out how to get the hell out of the brig and onto the Phantom.
I might have broken Sponder’s nose, but I wasn’t going to fight the guard. I had no issue with him. He was doing his job. After we entered the prison area, there was only one on duty. He’d stood for the commissioner and escorted us down the short corridor. I counted two cells. Clearly the Resolution didn’t have a lot of prisoners. I assumed any Dark Fleet captured would be taken elsewhere. This place was for those like me who were non-dangerous and would be transported to Velerion for a trial.
In fact, I’d expected to be taken with Gaius and Sponder off the Resolution, but once we were outside of the mission room, they’d argued.
“He should be taken to Velerion for immediate trial,” Sponder had said to Gaius.
Gaius had disagreed. “The Starfighter is in custody, as you wanted. Jennix is correct. There is a mission to run that is critical to the survival of Velerion. This is not. He will remain here on the battleship until the mission is complete.”
“But—” Sponder had sputtered.
“Your shuttle teams from Eos Station will be without a leader, Captain. I expect you to focus on your job instead of this vendetta.”
Vendetta?
Gaius had been right. Sponder had one against me. Sponder’s hatred did not surprise me. However, his obsession with taking me down was a bit of a shock. I had expected him to be more than pleased to have me out of his way. To let me go. I had underestimated his need for vengeance, for control.
I had Gaius to thank for the small window of time he’d given me. I had to get out of here before Mia took off. I would not have her flying with some random Starfighter MCS. The person at her side would be me.
There would be serious consequences for my actions. Escape from jail after over fifty witnesses had watched my arrest wasn’t smart. Jennix wouldn’t be able to save me from this.
But I had to take care of Mia, and that was what mattered.
I rested for some time, waiting for an opportunity, dozing and watching for the guards to change shifts as I took in my surroundings. Noticed the panels covering the control system buried in the walls.
This wasn’t my first time in the brig and I’d learned a few tricks but I had to time my escape perfectly. Mia needed me, which meant I had to get to her before the mission started, but not so much of a window that I’d be caught and dragged back down here.
When the mission was just over an hour from launch, I took a deep breath.
“Guard!” I called. In this brig there were actual bars for the cell, unlike the laser beams that were used for the high-level prison on Velerion.
The guard came from his desk by the entrance. He was new to serve, perhaps only eighteen or nineteen years of age. “Your first post?” I asked.
He nodded.
“Must be boring.”
The corner of his mouth tipped up. “You’re the first prisoner we’ve had since I was assigned.”
“Someone on duty at all times?”
“No, I’m part of the mechanic crew, but assigned as guard crew per diem.”
“You’re on call for when a prisoner comes in.”
“Right. Like you. What did you do to get thrown in here?” He eyed me a little warily, as if I’d gone on a murdering spree.
“I pissed off an old commanding officer.”
“They put you in here for that? Was it so bad a commissioner had to come from Velerion?”
“Yup.” I sighed.
“Well, tough luck, but I have to get back to my team before launch.”
“You’ll just leave me?” I asked, faking concern.
“Yes, but the electronic controls will monitor your well-being.”